January 2010

"When can one feel this activation of the space
taking effect? When there is a dense atmosphere which makes you
aware that something important is at stake. As there are no
predetermined categories or words to describe this experience, what
is at stake is very difficult to articulate. Because of the
difficulties to assimilate it or to immediately understand it, this
AFFECTIVE strangeness counters the normalization process. When this
dense atmosphere is produced, the people involved become painfully
aware of their social position and usual behavior. If the density
of the atmosphere is sufficient it can become physical, disturbing
our senses and producing strange feelings in our bodies. Through
SUCH A MULTI SENSORIAL disruption in the appearance of neutrality,
one gets the sense of being in a strange place - not really knowing
where to stand. WE BECOME VULNERABLE. Every movement or word
becomes significant. What is created is not a unified sense of
space or time, but a hererotopia where one location contains
different spaces and temporalities. Previous hierarchies and
established organizations of space are exposed. The traditional
time of the performance and distribution of attention (the
audience's respectful behavior towards the performers etc.) is left
behind. If one goes far enough, ACTIVELY DISTRIBUTING ONE'S
VULNERABILITY, these hierarchies could be diffused, not to give a
false sense of equality, but to produce alternative social
relations of time and space. THE CREATION OF AN AFFECTIVE
CLASS?"